Beginnings

First, there is the hunt for the right house.  As much traveling as I've done,
picking one place/house to live in was an enormous decision.  Not really
knowing what I was looking for was not helpful either.

My first visit to The Bird House--I loved it, but it was priced at 184,000--
not in my price range.  But I fell in love with it just the same.  The house
has a large covered front porch, a covered deck, a covered screened in
porch downstairs and a large sunporch with 6 windows.  I was certain
we couldn't get this one, so I wrote it off.

We were close to a deal on another house, slightly larger, but sadly lacking
in yard space and porches.  Just about when we were about to agree on
a price, the seller raised the price to 165,000.  At the same time the
Bird House price went down by 10,000.00.  So we turned in a bid on
the Bird House.  And waited.  And waited some more.  Finally an agreement
was brokered with my real estate agent, Micah Solomon (A really great
guy who actually cares about what you want and never pressures you) and
the owners.

The owners came up on May 9th and we met them on May 11.  First closing
date was set for May 16th.  The house was full of furniture--we bought two
chairs that were in the sun room, a drop leaf table with distressed green chairs,
and some twin beds. Closing was set for the 16th, then the 25th, then the 29th--
finally, on May 31st, I signed the mountain of paperwork that officially made the
Bird House my first real home.  Everyone thought I would be elated; I was scared.
The decision was so huge, to one who doesn't wish to remain in any one place very
long.